Americas Cardroom Pulls of Major Coup by Signing Chris Moneymaker

February 5th, 2021 | by Jason Reynolds

Chris Moneymaker has found a new home just four weeks after announcing his split from long-time partner, PokerStars.

Chris Moneymaker has become the latest player to join Americas Cardroom. (Image: ESPN)

Moneymaker became poker’s original poster boy after winning the 2003 WSOP Main Event. His rise from satellite qualifier to world champion sparked a revolution and, in turn, earn him a deal with PokerStars.

That deal came to an end in 2021 and made Moneymaker the industry’s top free agent. In something of an unexpected move, Americas Cardroom secured a deal.

Chris Moneymaker Making Moves

Moneymaker and Americas Cardroom announced their partnership on February 3 ahead of the Venom IV final table.

As expected, the reaction from people on social media was positive. Even though Moneymaker isn’t regarded as one of poker’s elite, he’s done more for the game than most.

His main reason for joining Americas Cardroom is the fact its available in the US. Like almost everyone else in the world, Moneymaker has been locked down for the best part of a year.

I approve of this addition to the team!
— Mark LaPiana (@HeyItsMark275) February 4, 2021

With live poker a luxury and PokerStars only available in certain states, the 2003 WSOP champ needed other options.

Americas Cardroom is available across the US because it offers alternative payment options such as Bitcoin. Under US law, UIGEA makes it illegal for offshore operators to process payments from US customers.

However, it didn’t make online poker illegal. On this basis, Americas Cardroom isn’t breaking any laws by offering a non-standard payment option such as Bitcoin.

Americas Cardroom Shaking Things Up

That means Moneymaker, like other Americans, has been able to use the site throughout the pandemic.

This reason, among others, led to the poker’s latest high-profile sponsorship deal.

Moneymaker will be an active part of the Americas Cardroom team. He’ll fly the company’s flag at live and online events, like all sponsored pros do.

However, he’ll also have a say in the site’s promotional maneuvers. That’s a challenge he’s ready to grasp with both hands.

It’s also something that could benefit Americas Cardroom. Although it’s a big name in the US, it doesn’t have the same reputation elsewhere in the world.

But, with Chris Moneymaker on the team, that could easily change in the coming months.